New York Jets: Coach Rex Touts Potential

Potential. In sports, the word can breed optimism or utter frustration. With a brash new coach and a hot-shot rookie quarterback, the 2009 New York Jets may be talking a better game than they're going to play.

Head Coach Rex Ryan brought his dynamic defensive scheme from Baltimore and   recruited LB Bart Scott, S Jim Leonhard, and DE Marques Douglas to help spread the gospel. Unfortunately, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Ed Reed were not part of the equation.

Ryan has captured the imagination of the New York media with his candor and shoot-from-the-hip style—a far cry from the tight-lipped, almost robotic Eric Mangini. Clearly, Ryan's defensive record speaks for itself, but the Jets' lack of quality depth in their front seven is glaring.

When NT Kris Jenkins broke down the last month of the 2008 season, and DE's Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman turned pedestrian, New York saw the likes of journeymen QB's Shaun Hill and Seneca Wallace make play after play to dash their postseason hopes.

Ryan and new DC Mike Pettine have made 2008 first round pick DE/LB Vernon Gholston their pet project. His progress must grow by leaps and bounds, or the Jets will find themselves stuck with a colossal bust. The team is hoping a host of undrafted free agents like Rutgers' DE Jamaal Westerman can defy the odds and help bolster the roster.

The addition of CB Lito Sheppard could potentially (there's that word again) give the Jets one of the top secondaries in the NFL. They'd better be all that and more because the offense, save for KR/RB Leon Washington, has few playmakers.

Jerricho Cotchery is a solid No. 2 receiver, but not a player around whom opposing teams plan. TE Dustin Keller showed some flashes of becoming a go-to receiver in his rookie season before he, too, disappeared down the stretch. His blocking remains subpar, forcing the team to rely free agent TE help.

Without anyone to stretch the field consistently, the Jets' offensive line may be their best offensive weapon. With Ryan having mandated an "all-weather" offense, C Nick Mangold and pricey free agent guard Alan Faneca will need All-Pro caliber seasons if the team plans to consistently keep the chains moving on the ground.

The ongoing contract issues of RBs Thomas Jones and Washington should be resolved by training camp. An extended absence by either player would be borderline disastrous.

That leaves us with the all-important question, "Who's Mr. QB?" Mark Sanchez has impressed everyone with his charisma. Kellen Clemens has yet to show signs that he's anything more than an NFL backup. Ryan witnessed the successful Joe Flacco experiment in Baltimore last season, but most rookie quarterbacks find themselves with a headset on and clipboard in hand. 

Can anyone really expect Sanchez, who was blessed with so many offensive weapons at USC, to be a difference maker at the NFL level so quickly? The odds are that it's not going to happen, especially on a team with such average skill on offense.

Certainly, there are positive signs that Rex Ryan's swagger has already had an impact on Gang Green. Several players have commented on the more football friendly atmosphere and commitment to an attacking defensive style. But with a killer schedule, including an improved AFC East, the Jets will have to fulfill a whole lot of potential to be more than a .500 team.